If you were to try Princess only once...

[lolane1]

Questions like this, with all due respect to the OP, are like asking "what's the best candy bar" or "which restaurant chain makes the best pizza". There are a lot of factors to consider when asking which Princess Cruises ship is the best: not the least is, have you cruised before - ever; what is important to you; what do you like to do, eat, watch, and enjoy.

 

There are some important variations in the main classes of ships within Princess Cruises that make them unique, better, or maybe, not as good to others, based on the amenities and features of the ship. Island Princess and Coral Princess have things that the Ruby Princess and Emerald Princess don't, and visa-versa. Royal Princess and Regal Regal are the newest, biggest, and "flashiest", but lack some features important to others. Pacific Princess and Ocean Princess are on their way out, but are "heads-and-shoulders above the rest" favorites among those who like the "small ship" experience.

 

There is no "right answer" to this question that we can offer without knowing more information from you, and about you. I can shout out "my favorite ship" answers all day long, but without knowing more details....

 

;)

 

Couldn't agree more. This about sums it up. What's the best for some, is not the best for others. OP, if you take the advice of others, you might be disappointed and then assume the "Best" of Princess is not to your liking. Picking a ship over destination and pricing is also not a good idea. What if "the best ship" suggested here is going somewhere you are not interested in? Could be another disappointment.

 

All ships have something great about them. Personal preference plays a large factor. That being said, I have enjoyed every cruise I have taken with Princess.

[dmwnc1959]

But, I agree more with those who have advised to go by itinerary first.

 

 

See, I'm just the opposite, but I think a lot depends on several considerations. For the Caribbean (or even cruises to Mexico) I'm all about the "ship", and the itinerary comes second. My last batch of cruises (Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Millennium, Allure of the Seas, Ruby Princess, Royal Princess B2B) where booked solely because of the ship, and I didn't care where it was going: it was the right time frame, right departure port, and a good value.

 

Now if I was looking at traveling a much larger distance to embark the ship and spending a small fortune - say for a Grand Mediterranean, Baltic capitals, or Far East cruise - I'd probably pay more attention to the itinerary (length of cruise, ports of call, and specific sites I want to see).

 

Depending on if the OP is just wanting to just sample a Princess Cruises vacation - say, going to the Turks and Caicos, Eastern/Western Caribbean - then pick based on "ship"; if they are wanting to combine ship/exotic itinerary, then pick with the "itinerary" a bigger consideration than "ship", but the ship just as important...if that makes sense; i.e. "you don't want to do Tahiti on the Allure of the Seas" kind of thing. ;)

 

 

:D

Edited March 24, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[OCruisers]

The sister ships --Crown/Emerald/Ruby-- are favorites of ours! :D

LuLu

[billco]

IMO, itinerary and ship come secondary to the Princess experience. We have sailed all classes of Princess ships, except the small ships and quite a few itineraries. We stay with Princess, because we like the atmosphere across the board. The perks don't hurt either.

[dmwnc1959]

IMO, itinerary and ship come secondary to the Princess experience.

 

 

But wouldn't you say that the "Princess Experience" differs depending on if you are on the Ocean Princess, Island Princess, Diamond Princess, Sun Princess, Emerald Princess, or Regal Princess? Don't the ship's amenities, features, home base (Australia, Japan, US), and design affect the "Princess Experience"?

 

:confused:

Edited March 24, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[miketheExbaker]

I guess it was a little naive for me to think that there would be a decisive fave without providing a little more detail. For me, I would prefer a smaller ship or one that disperses crowds well as I do not want to feel like I am lost in a crowd of thousands. Also not interested in any type of Kids activities or plans that are at all geared to a family vacation. Fine dining options are important. Generally less of a party atmosphere, and more intimate. Maybe this info can narrow it down?

[Colo Cruiser]

I guess it was a little naive for me to think that there would be a decisive fave without providing a little more detail. For me, I would prefer a smaller ship or one that disperses crowds well as I do not want to feel like I am lost in a crowd of thousands. Also not interested in any type of Kids activities or plans that are at all geared to a family vacation. Fine dining options are important. Generally less of a party atmosphere, and more intimate. Maybe this info can narrow it down?

 

 

Did anyone say Coral? ;)

[billco]

But wouldn't you say that the "Princess Experience" differs depending on if you are on the Ocean Princess, Island Princess, Diamond Princess, Sun Princess, Emerald Princess, or Regal Princess? Don't the ship's amenities, features, home base (Australia, Japan, US), and design affect the "Princess Experience"?

 

:confused:

Not really. While all of the above are true, they don't really affect our experience. We know what to expect from Princess and our routine is pretty much the same from cruise to cruise.

[Thrak]

Pacific or Ocean Princess. Small ship sailing. Ocean won't be long with Princess and who knows how long Pacific has left.

 

Or you could try one of the old little girls Sea, Sun and Dawn Princess.

 

My favourite is the Diamond Princess.

 

Sea Princess was our first and we loved that ship. Of course that was before she was redesigned for the Japanese market. I don't know how she is now. She had that wonderful wide Promenade, a great view from HC on the bow, and Cafe Corniche which had wonderful pizza.

 

We will get to sail Coral this fall before she's remodeled and then will sail Island next June after she is remodeled so we will get a first hand experience in the different feel before and after.

 

My absolute favorite Princess ship is whatever ship I am on when cruising. I'd love to try them all. :)

[Thrak]

I guess it was a little naive for me to think that there would be a decisive fave without providing a little more detail. For me, I would prefer a smaller ship or one that disperses crowds well as I do not want to feel like I am lost in a crowd of thousands. Also not interested in any type of Kids activities or plans that are at all geared to a family vacation. Fine dining options are important. Generally less of a party atmosphere, and more intimate. Maybe this info can narrow it down?

 

Sounds like Princess. No party atmosphere. No rock climbing walls. No water slides. We've sailed Star Princess twice and even though she has a capacity of 2,600 passengers and a crew of 1,100 we never felt crowded.

Edited March 24, 2015 by Thrak

[travelplus]

If I were in the OP's situation I would be so depressed if I could only go on Princess once. This is one of the most depressing posts I have read on CC LOL.

 

Well here is my answer.

 

I would book a Princess World Voyage in the best suite along with First Class airfare 5-7 star resorts a personal butler who comes along with me to tend to my needs. Also I would have Balcony breakfasts often and invite fellow CC members to attend as well as host cocktail parties in my stateroom.

 

I would dine at Sabatimis often.

 

Also I would purchase the Premium beverage package too.

 

For quiet relaxation I soul ten out the entire sanctuary once a month and have a private party for CC friends.

 

I soul go to karoke nights and attend the shows and have so much fun making new friends

 

Well there you have it

[geoherb]

My favorites are the Diamond and Sapphire. Maybe we'll get to sail on them again after we retire in a couple of years. Right now, we don't have the time to take a cruise to Asia or Australia.

[Coveguy4]

Coral is my favorite!

[readytoembark]

Coral is my favorite!

 

Lots of people recommending Coral - what is it about Coral that is different than the other ships you've sailed?

[shredie]

Lots of people recommending Coral - what is it about Coral that is different than the other ships you've sailed?

 

Beautiful views from the buffet up front.

[CU64]

Sounds like Princess. No party atmosphere. No rock climbing walls. No water slides. We've sailed Star Princess twice and even though she has a capacity of 2,600 passengers and a crew of 1,100 we never felt crowded.

 

my experience with them has been good: 12 day Baltic (the best on Constellation); 12 day Med on Equinox, 7 day Pacific Coastal on Century.....

for what it is worth, I never go an any cruise for less than 7 days...I believe the passenger composition is different as well as the organizational patterns of the crew....

[cruisequeen4ever]

Regal Princess and Sapphire are my favs! Regal has amazing variety in food and stunning decor, all shiny and new. Sapphire is a tried and true beauty and classic Princess.

[samchatmon]

With the being so many ships in the Princess fleet......how should I choose just one ship? This is considering, with other trips planned I will only get the chance to try Princess once in the next 5 years. There are a lot of places in the world I have yet to see, so itinerary falls secondary to ship in this case.

Princess regulars...What is your FAVE ship?

 

 

All of princess ships are special in their own way. You will love your cruise know matter what ship you take.

[CptSticky]

We have been exclusively RCI Cruises and are Diamond Plus Status.

 

We are signed up for a 5 night "Caribbean Sampler" cruise on January 18th on the Emerald Princess.

 

 

We are looking forward to trying out Princess Cruise Lines...

 

 

 

What is really funny is that all the changes and loss of service/goodies people are complaining about on the RCI Boards are pretty much the same things people here on the Princess Boards seem to be complaining about.

 

 

As we move from an RCI Ship to a Princess Ship, we will smile and wave as we pass the people moving from a Princess Ship to an RCI Ship.

 

 

I guess you will need to wave "with me" instead of at me. We are P on Royal and today booked a Princess for next week. Not like we are in a hurry to cruise but, well you know, cruise addition, what can I say.

[dorisis]

Coral Princess.

 

Ditto.

[geocruiser]

All of princess ships are special in their own way. You will love your cruise know matter what ship you take.

 

I agree with you. I have been on 13 Princess cruises and enjoyed each of them. We were on Regal this month and it was wonderful. Just a little to big in the way of ship size. I would sail on her again but I would have to do more walking before the cruise to get into shape!:D

[xeroxme]

My favorite is Diamond Princess!

[Woobstr112G]

My favorite is Diamond Princess!

 

I like the way you think.....:):):)

 

Bob

[CptSticky]

We are doing Golden next week. Anything that I should know?

[GUT2407]

It is totally subjective, to us it is those beautiful little girls, soon just the one, Pacific is and I suspect always will be our first love, but many dislike them as they are too small for some.